ATTILA TO TAKE PART IN BRUSSELS BIKE RIDE

A well-known Brighton & Hove Albion fan and much-loved punk poet is cycling from the Amex to Brussels to raise money for the club’s official charity.

John Baine, aka Attila the Stockbroker, was among the key figures in the Albion’s struggles to first save the club in the late 1990s and then later to secure a new home in Falmer.

He was often at the forefront of the fans’ demonstrations and was part of the Seagulls Ska band which secured a top-20 record with Tom Hark (We Want Falmer).

As the poet Attila the Stockbroker, Mr Baine emerged from the late-1970s punk movement to become a leading light of the alternative, left-wing scene of the early 1980s.

Combining poetry with punk-tinged folk music, Attila has gone on to enjoy a fruitful career, playing more than 3000 gigs in more than two dozen counties.

As an avid Seagulls fan, he wanted to do something to support the club’s charity, Albion in the Community (AITC), and decided to sign-up to take part in AITC’s Brighton to Brussels European Cycle Challenge.

As he explained, the destination in the Belgian capital made it hard for him to say no.

He said, “The chance of an Albion-related related bike ride to Brussels was too good to miss.

“I lived in a commune in Schaerbeek there as a young punk rocker 37 years ago and still visit regularly to play bass in the same band, Contingent, I joined in 1979.

“I've been a huge Seagulls fan all my life and, for the last 20 years, a keen cyclist: that's how I get to our home games - and many of my favourite pubs.

“Money raised will go towards the award-winning Albion in the Community helping disabled people participate in sport, which is a fantastic cause.

“After we fans battled so long to save our club and secure our beautiful new stadium at Falmer, it is wonderful to see the Albion going from strength to strength not just on the field, but off it as well with schemes like this.”

Mr Baine will join around 30 other cyclists for the challenge, with the riders departing from Albion's home stadium on Friday 10th June, travelling through the picturesque medieval town of Bruges, before arriving in Brussels on Sunday 12th June.

AITC is also holding a one-day cycle challenge through Sussex on Sunday 24th July. Participants can choose from three routes: 25-miles, 50-miles or 75-miles, and registration is available from just £25. For more details visit: www.mrcycles.co.uk/category/events/aitc